paradisa | HAPPY NEW YEAR!

All that clamor from the lion dance prancing down the halls should be enough to draw attention to the party, even without actual invitations. If not the noise, then perhaps the delicious smell wafting under every door and leading back to the ballroom.

The castle is vain, if nothing else. It has decorated the ballroom in the deepest red and brightest gold with auspicious greetings in the common language tastefully posted about the hall. May your happiness be without end, one says, while another goes May all your wishes be fulfilled. Small order, all things considered.

Round dining tables (with the turning glass part) are set up in the middle of the hall, each with about ten chairs and piles of food fit for a whole village. There are two more lion dance teams hopping about the hall and making a racket while occasionally nabbing that dumpling straight from your chopsticks. That should the least of your concerns, however, with many residents still aiming to settle their grudges before the new year.

Watch your back.

[ ooc; IC mingle log for Lunar New Year plot, feel free to make your own threads! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[WHY DOES EVERYONE GIVE HIM THAT LOOK WHEN THEY FIRST SEE HIM. It's his cologne, isn't it.

Of course, Equius has decided to come in a suit of his own. So at least he looks moderately presentable?]

Yes, and formal occasions such as this must always include those that call themselves nobility.

[ It's more presentable than a lot of the clothes she's seen here, but very little can hide how very subhuman he looks. No matter her manners, she cannot shake this way of thinking. ]

The castle is remiss in providing a host for a party itself provided, after all.

And it is our duty to see that it does, I presume?

[He gave the woman a curt nod. He'd offer a hand to shake, but he'd rather not break anyone's bones this evening.]

Equius Zahhak.

Our duty?

[ She barely constrains a squint before offering her own hand, no shortage of rings adorning the fingers, palm down. Well if he fancies himself somebody of value, this will help her find out how much value. ]

I am Anne Boleyn, Queen of England and former acting Regent of Cair Paradisa.

[While she wont be able to see his eyes widen at the sight of the rings, his eyebrows do quirk in recognition. The last time he'd seen that much jewelry was on the highbloods themselves.

Of course, this human royalty was nowhere in comparison to his own. Obviously.

He almost holds out his own hand, but it is steadily replaced by another, curt nod.]

A Queen. You must be the highblood of your own culture then.

I am a noble myself. Loyal to the Hemoroyalty of Alternia, and noble echelon of the imperial archeradicators. I suppose that makes me a regent as well.

[ After a moment she lowers her hand, having been offering it for his, and she tries not to look as insulted as she actually is. He claims to be a noble, and yet?

Well, nobles of a bestial species no doubt have different customs. She doubts they worship the one true God, but there have been bigger surprises in Paradisa. ]

I see. What title might I address you with, then, my lord? I am but a babe to the ways of your culture.

[The simple fact that he was actually talking to another person of regal apparel was enough for Equius. He takes a moment to wipe his forehead with a nearby napkin.]

Please simply refer to me as Equius, my lady. And as much as it is embarrassing to admit, my grasp of Human culture is... lacking in several places.

...Also, forgive me for not accepting your hand greeting. I would rather not bring you harm.

[ His response makes her raise an eyebrow, drawing her hand to her chest as she eyes him curiously. ]

As you say. You cannot touch people without hurting them?

Yes. [Another nod along with the stern reply. This was something he'd explained multiple times before.]

I am simply too strong for normal physical contact. I tend to unintentionally... break things.

However are you able to handle food and drink at such a festive occasion, then?

Practice.

[And intense concentration. He picks up a nearby glass and takes a sip, moving slowly as to not cause the glass to crack.

It still does of course, but at least it doesn't shatter.]

Fiddlesticks.

[ She resists the urge to take a step back. Get away from her. ]

It seems you must come to favor the metal over glass, for safety's sake.

Indeed. I am actually quite adept at metal work.

[It's not his fault he's like this. Please don't leave him alone.]

You...are a smithy?

[ But he's a noble. What. ]

As a pastime. Back home, chances to use my nobility skills were... limited.

[ Nobility 'skills'? She is just getting more and more confused. But then someone like him probably doesn't worry about soft hands and the like. The culture could not be more alien to her so far, but that's no surprise. ]

What might you be capable of making?

[It's more, he never gets a chance to actually act noble because everyone around him could care less.

He straightens a little at her question.]

Weapons of all kinds, armor if it is needed, mechanical creatures...

[ Mechanical, another word she'll have to look up after the party. ]

Jewelry?

Of course.

[Where is she going with this exactly?]

You could support yourself well in the city, having no need to rely on the castle's extravagance.

I could?

[Honestly, leaving the castle for the city hadn't crossed his mind.]

I suppose if there are people in need of my services.... Although, it might be beneath me to do such a thing.

[ It should be beneath him to play with metal at all, since it's a common man's work, but alas. Anne would have a hard time not seeing him as beneath her even if he was a king. ]

My apologies, I meant no insult. But we are all forced into living new lives here, after all.

[Stuff like this makes him sweat with disgust.]

Indeed, the living conditions here are above par to myself though, in comparison to my previous home.

How did it differ?

My home is destroyed.

[oh]

Edited 2014-02-02 02:58 (UTC)

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